General Gynecology

Permanent Sterilization

Permanent, or surgical, sterilization is a safe, highly effective form of contraception for women. The most common surgical sterilization procedure for women is called a tubal ligation—commonly called having your tubes tied. In tubal ligation, the fallopian tubes are separated or sealed shut, preventing the egg from becoming fertilized by a male’s sperm.

There are several ways in which this procedure can be done:

Laparoscopic sterilization is done in the operating room requiring general anesthesia at any time other than after childbirth.

Minilaparotomy is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia, often one or two days after childbirth.

Hysteroscopic sterilization may be an in-office or operating room procedure using local anesthesia, and is performed at any time other than soon after childbirth.

By thoroughly examining a woman’s medical history and her physical condition, our physicians will recommend which permanent sterilization procedure is most appropriate. We encourage patients to ask questions so they thoroughly understand the procedure they will undergo.